Auplopini
Guides
Auplopus
spider wasps
Auplopus is a large genus of small spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, distributed worldwide except Antarctica. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud nests, often inside pre-existing cavities such as abandoned nests of other wasps, hollows in wood, or rock crevices. They hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and amputate the legs before transporting the prey to their nests. The wasps provision each mud cell with one or more paralyzed spiders, lay a single egg on the final victim, and seal the cell. Auplopus species are solitary and non-aggressive, with most activity occurring from May to October.
Auplopus architectus metallicus
Auplopus architectus metallicus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Like other Auplopus, females construct small, free-standing mud cells to house paralyzed spider prey and developing larvae. The subspecies was described by Banks in 1910. Members of this genus are small wasps, typically around 10 millimeters in length, with several species exhibiting bright metallic blue-green coloration.
Auplopus caerulescens
Blue Mud-dauber Spider Wasp
Auplopus caerulescens is a small spider-hunting wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells, typically 15 mm long and 7-10 mm wide, often placed inside pre-existing cavities such as hollows in wood, rock crevices, or abandoned nests of other wasps. The species is known for its bright metallic blue-green coloration, with females bearing a diagnostic pygidial plate used to manipulate mud during nest construction. It is widely distributed across North America.
Auplopus mollis
Auplopus mollis is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive free-standing mud cells, typically barrel-shaped and approximately 15 mm long by 7–10 mm wide, often stacked end-to-end in rows of two to five. The species hunts non-web-building spiders, amputates their legs to facilitate transport, and provisions each mud cell with multiple paralyzed spiders before laying a single egg. Adults feed on aphid honeydew rather than visiting flowers.
Auplopus nigrellus
Auplopus nigrellus is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Like other members of its genus, it constructs distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells to house its offspring. The species was described by Banks in 1911, though specific details about its biology are limited compared to better-studied congeners such as A. carbonarius and A. mellipes.
Phanagenia bombycina
Phanagenia bombycina is a solitary spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. It constructs delicate mud barrel nests to house paralyzed spider prey and developing larvae. The species is found east of the Rocky Mountains and is slightly larger than related Auplopus species. Uniquely, it frequently builds its mud cells inside the abandoned nests of the pipe organ mud dauber (Trypoxylon politum).